Marimba Around The World
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Listen to Marimba Around The World
A Canadian percussion trio whose formula revolves around a marimba-band concept, Sticks And Stone birth their own sort of jam bands sounds where the folk ideas from Latin America and Africa are incorporated and appreciated.
“Cacharpaya” starts the album with playful and elegant marimba prowess that finds all sorts of cultured places to reside, and “Tsumaile” follows with an initially calmer delivery that bursts into a dance friendly display of adventurousness, where wordless vocals add much to the affair.
Elsewhere, “Mi Lupita” offers a breezy melody that’s immediately memorable, while “Ritual” takes us on an almost cinematic journey that’s a bit more sparse and unpredictable in its warm nature. “Ey Yare Jani”, one of the album’s best, then mixes the marimba and drums/percussion in dynamic and mesmerizing ways that few could replicate.
Deeper cuts bring us the restrained “Oseh Shalom”, which unfolds like a lullaby, and “Boat Song” exits the listen with a dreaminess to it that’s unique and charming.
Jayden Beaudoin, Dale Osbaldeston, and Stephen Stone, i.e. Sticks And Stone, create some very inventive song craft here, where plenty of pop, rock and jazz nods are embraced and executed with the utmost precision in their flourishing percussive fashion.
Travels well with: Taktus- Mirrored Glass; Patterns- Chamber Works